Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has decried the involvement of retired military generals and powerful elites in Nigeria’s illegal mining activities, which he described as a significant threat to the nation’s economy and security.
Speaking during the Senate Committee on Appropriation’s review of the 2025 Appropriation Bill on Friday, Oshiomhole exposed the sophisticated operations of illegal miners, alleging that these activities are heavily funded and orchestrated by influential figures, including former military officials, in collaboration with foreign entities.
“These illegal mining operations are not random or small-scale,” Oshiomhole revealed. “They are highly organized, with retired generals and their foreign collaborators at the helm. They arm the miners, use helicopters to transport extracted gold, and smuggle it out of the country, making billions of dollars while depriving Nigeria of critical revenue.”
The former Edo State Governor criticized the government’s inadequate response to illegal mining, comparing it unfavorably to the robust actions taken against oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
“If we can deploy joint military task forces to combat oil bunkering, why are we lenient with illegal miners? It’s time to deploy the same level of force and ruthlessness,” he declared.
Oshiomhole also pointed out the devastating consequences of illegal mining, including insecurity, environmental degradation, and the weaponization of local groups to protect mining sites. He claimed that weapons used to secure mining operations often find their way into the hands of criminals engaged in banditry and kidnapping.
“Let’s be honest: some retired military officers and high-ranking officials are involved,” Oshiomhole stated. “We know where these illegal activities are happening and who is responsible. Yet, these individuals operate freely, enriching themselves while ordinary Nigerians suffer the consequences of insecurity and economic hardship.”
The senator emphasized that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has the potential to significantly boost the country’s GDP if properly managed. “This sector could contribute up to 50% of our GDP, but currently, it accounts for a mere 0.05%. The problem is not a lack of resources but the lack of political will to enforce regulations and confront those behind these crimes,” he said.
Oshiomhole urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to help harness the sector’s potential. Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, supported this call, recommending a capital budget of ₦539 billion, a significant increase from the ₦9 billion initially proposed by the executive.
Ekong noted that despite its inadequate funding last year, the ministry generated ₦37 billion in revenue, demonstrating the sector’s capacity for growth with proper investment.
Oshiomhole’s revelations and recommendations cast a spotlight on the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector. He called on the government to implement decisive measures, including deploying military task forces to mining areas, to dismantle illegal operations and bring their powerful sponsors to justice.
“The time for lamentation is over,” he concluded. “The government must act decisively to address illegal mining, enforce regulations, and harness our natural resources for the good of our economy.”